E-42 WATER TANKS SMELL

pwmullins · E-42 WATER TANKS SMELL

One of the tanks on my E42 has an awful smell coming out of it, like rotten eggs, (hydrogen sulfide , I think). We've drained it several times and put Chlorox bleach in it and pumped it dry. Also tried putting in vinegar (5%) strength.

When filling the tank up, it takes 7 minutes compared to the 13 minutes on the other tank. Seems like the pickup has broken off and only part of the water is getting pumped out, leaving the balance of the tank to spoil.

Does anyone have any suggestions or has this happened to you?

Thanks,

Phil S/V Katash
Isle of Palms, SC

tstaub

Hi Phil,
I don't have that problem but what you've got is hydrogen sulfide gas forming in the tank. In most cases, the rotten egg smell does not relate to the sanitary quality of the water. However, in rare instances the gas may result from sewage or other pollution. It is a good idea to have the water tested for the standard sanitary tests of coliform bacteria and nitrate.

Sulfur bacteria are not harmful, but hydrogen sulfide gas in the air can be hazardous at high levels. It is important to take steps to remove the gas from the water, or vent the gas to the atmosphere so that it will not collect in low-lying spaces - such as the bilge.

Another possible source is from a chemical reaction. This sometimes happens in water heaters. A water heater usually contains a metal rod called an "anode," which is installed to reduce corrosion of the water heater tank. The anode is usually made of magnesium metal, which can supply electrons that aid in the conversion of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas. I don't know if that is a possibility in your tank or not.

My E-40 is out of the water right now in Maryland getting the fuel tank removed. I already removed the water tanks so I'll have all new tankage and will not have any more problems.

Good luck with your issue.
Ted

bobfnbw

Ted what are you replacing your water tanks with?

I used 3 tanks from ronco, a port and starboard tank and a middle. My plan was to connect them together with one fill, and one pickup on the center tank. But I didn't account for the large space the fittings they put in took, and now have to find another way to install them.
The aluminum tanks are not great for water. I would not use aluminum again if I could help it. I plan to install a watermaker in a year or so before any serious cruising, and just have it fill the tanks every couple of days.

Phil, if your pickup is bad replace it. flush all your tanks well with chlorinated water. Run the pump with all faucets open to flush all your lines then let them sit for a day, then flush with fresh water. Chlorine and aluminum don't mix well, so you might want to put a charcoal filter on your hose first, then a good one for your boat. 3M makes a good one that will last for several years.

open the inspection plate on your tanks and take a look inside. What you find might cause you to cut them out like I did and replace. Same with all the lines, and don't forget the hot water heater....

I don't like bad odors so...

tstaub

Bob,
I'm not going to use aluminum for any of the tanks.

I haven't replaced the water tanks yet. I will look at Ronco but I haven't decided what to do. I'm looking for ideas! I want to do something easy and cheep that will last beyone my ownership of the boat.

The port and starboard tanks that you used - are the tanks under the setee? Did you ever get a professional answer on the stability of the boat as those tanks empty? How big are they? What are you doing with all of the space in the bilge now?

Phil - that sounds like a good idea for getting rid of the odor. As with anything on a 25 year old boat - if you open something up to look you will want to replace it.

pwmullins · Smelly Water Tank, E42

Thanks so much for the helpful hints on my condition.....the smelly tank is getting better, we've flushed it totally about 6 times. I'm still trying to find the access port for the smelly tank. It appears that in the E42, 2 ea. 100 gal tanks were installed under the setee floor on either side of the table. There are 2 panels in the floor that access the end of the tanks showing the fill tube and breather tube. Another panel lifts up and exposes the water gauge and access port for the port tank, another panels exposes the one pickup that appears to go to the middle of the 2 tanks. There is no panel that exposes the starboard tank and this is the one that smells. Maybe the builder just floored over the water guage and access panel. I don't want to have to take up the whole floor system to expose the tank, but would like to be able to clean it out to get rid of the smell. Does anyone have an access panel for the starboard tank? If so, I'd appreciate you letting me know and approximately where it is.

Thanks,

Phil, S/V Katash

bobfnbw

E-42 WATER TANKS SMELL

Smelly Water Tank, E42